Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone says his team cannot afford to relax as they race against Sevilla and Valencia for third spot in La Liga and automatic Champions League qualification for next season.
With four games remaining, Atletico look to have a strong hold on third spot, with a six-point gap ahead of both Valencia and Sevilla, who both have still to play second placed Real Madrid before the season ends.
Simeone's side themselves also to have to play table-toppers Barcelona on the penultimate weekend of the season, leading some Atletico fans to hope they already have all their objectives sewn up by that point and are not motivated to do neighbours Madrid a favour in the title race.
However, the Colchoneros chief said in a news conference ahead of Saturday's home game against Athletic Bilbao that getting three points against Los Leones was his only current concern.
"Even before the start of the season I thought that Sevilla and Valencia would fight for third place," Simeone said. "We have been in this place almost all season, and it is not easy.
"You have the responsibility and obligation to always get three points. Even with our advantage, we still have that obligation as there are four games left, many points, and two away games.
"I am sure tomorrow's game is more important than that against Barcelona."
Atletico kept on track for third on Wednesday evening by winning 1-0 win at Villarreal, thanks to Fernando Torres' second goal in 16 appearances. Simeone defended his former teammate, saying 'El Nino' brought much-needed qualities to the team.
"[Torres] was important already in the game against Elche, even though he did not score," he said. "But he was willing, competed, was close to scoring. The other day the first chance he got he finished with class. We need that from him. Goals, movement, pace, work.
"Since he arrived, started training and joining with the group, he has been phenomenal. The important thing is what happens on the pitch, and he responded to what we needed from him."
Wednesday's game was Simeone's 200th in charge, with his record showing 127 wins, and 100 clean sheets. While retaining the title won in amazing fashion last season was now almost impossible, Simeone said clinching a third successive season in the Champions League would also be something historic.
"We can always improve," Simeone said. "We are not relaxed, no. I am concerned about tomorrow's game, as it is a good opportunity at home. We are on the path to qualify for the Champions League for the third time in a row, and it would be the first time this happens in more than a 100 years of history.
"This depends just on us. Tomorrow's game is an important step to achieve that objective."
The Argentine coach was less keen to talk about reports that FIFA are set to ban both Atletico and Madrid from signing players for a year because of irregularities in youth transfers.
"I spoke yesterday with people from the club and there is no official confirmation yet," Simeone said. "When there is something official to say, then we will talk about it. To speak now would be too hasty."